How to Design a Good Business Card?
A business card, even though it has a small space, holds the power to convey the overall identity of your business. You can use it for multiple purposes such as advertisement, brand awareness, and contact information. Every small element like wording, colour, font style, and card shape holds great importance and can help you make a lasting impression.
Your business card’s design explains your nature of work and personality. Therefore, it is very important to take every element seriously and design it according to your company’s nature. In this article, we have explained each necessary step of business card designing thoroughly. So, read on to find which steps you need to take to create a business card that stands out.
A step-by-step guide to designing a good business card
Know what you need
The first and foremost thing you need to do is ask yourself the questions like what message do you want your business card to convey? What is your brand design and style? All these questions are related to your brand’s identity. Finding the answers to these questions will make the business card designing process smooth.
So, take a few minutes and think about essential business card design questions. Your business card will display your and your brand’s personality. So, think and find the answers to the important questions carefully.
Select the card shape
The rectangular business card shape is what people normally choose. But with the advent of technology, the die-cutting printing technique allows people to cut different shapes and get them printed in bulk. So, you can think out of the box and select a shape that truly represents your brand. It could be the outline or shape of the product you are trying to sell or a completely original shape.
The shape will convey the image and message without using words. Special shapes will make your business card stand out. They may also make you look more approachable and fun. However, they may not be suitable for more formal industries. While finalizing the card shape, keep the logistics in mind. Your business card should be easy to grab and fit in your wallet.
Select the card dimensions
The size of a business card is usually determined by the standard of the country. The European standard is 85 × 55 mm or 3.346 × 2.165 inches. Similarly, the American standard is 88.9 × 50.8 mm or 3.5 × 2 inches. But you do not have to necessarily follow this standard of your country. You can stand out by choosing a different size.
While determining the card dimensions, keep the bleed area, trim, and safety lines in mind. The Bleed area is the outermost part of a business card that is meant to be removed. Inside the bleed area is the trim line. It is the line where the card is cut. Then comes the safety line. Do not let any important text, design, or logo cross this line. The size of these lines/areas mainly depends on the card size and printer type.
Select suitable typography
Since business cards have a small space, so you have to use that space wisely. Typography is very important as it can totally change the image and impression of a brand. There are three main things that you need to consider about typography. These are colour, size, and font style.
Determine your brand colour and use the same colour for the text on the card. The colour should go well with the background. Having the same colour as the background can make reading the text difficult. A contrast could do well. The size should be readable. Your name and company’s name are two of the essential texts. So, you can choose a larger size for them. Font style shows your brand’s identity, so choose the one that truly represents you.
Add your brand logo and other necessary graphics
Next, you need to focus on the visual elements of your business card. These elements, including logos and colours, hold the power to communicate your brand’s identity. Out of all the designs on your card, your brand’s logo should get the most of the attention.
You have two sides of the card to use. So, utilize both sides wisely. There are two choices; one is to place the logo only on one side, and the other is to place the logo on both sides of the card. If you decide to place the logo on one side, then make it prominent and preferably large. Contrarily, if you want to place it on both sides, make it prominent on one side and small on the other side with contact information written.
You can add additional graphics if you do not like the empty spaces. For example, if you are a children’s clothing brand, you can make cute doodles or cartoons on one side to make your brand look kid-friendly and lively.
Add text
Text is one of the most important elements of a business card. The amount of text used on a business card depends on your industry or type of business. If you are a freelancer, you would not need to put your postal address. On the other hand, if your business requires a face-to-face meeting or discussion, then obviously, you will have to put your postal address. So, whatever you decide to write on your business card, decide wisely.
The common choices that you have include your name, company’s name, job title, contact information (number, postal address, or email address), URL link to your website, social media, and slogan. Some of these texts are optional, and not all brands need to write them.
Add finishes to make a lasting impression
After finalizing all important elements, now is the time to consider printers. They offer different services that can help you make a lasting impression. Embossing is a popular technique that raises the text from the paper’s surface.
Letter-pressing is another technique that is the opposite of embossing. It pushes the text down and makes it more prominent. Foil stamping is for people who want shiny or reflective images or text. There are many other techniques as well. You will have to contact different business card printers to find who offers a wide range of services at an affordable cost.
So, How to Design a Good Business Card? Remember that your card represents you and your brand. So, spend enough time to come up with different ideas for their size, colour, text, etc. and then get a designer to bring your ideas to life.
How to Design a Good Business Card
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